Thinking about lighting some fireworks next holiday weekend?  Keep this Sparkler Burn Information Chart from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in mind.

The SafeGrad Video Contest ran from November 2011 until the end of March 2012.

The goal behind the contest was for youth in the Thames Valley area to send us their 30-60 second video promoting one or more of SafeGrad's safer party messages:

• Making sure you have a safe and sober way home from a party
• Understanding the laws and liability for hosting a party
• Creating healthy relationships
• Understanding the negative consequences of drug & alcohol misuse
• Choosing to be sober and in control

Videos were judged by a panel of youth and adults on their:

• Youth appeal
• Creativity and individuality
• Clear "safer partying" messaging

A total of 14 submissions were entered and the top 4 were chosen.

Congratulations to the winner of the video contest who has won a $500 Apple Prize Pack!

Be sure to check out A Man Named Fred!

In this issue, you'll find great information on the following topics:

• Who is the Early Years Team – Family Health Services, MLHU, and how can they help YOU?
• The Healthy Communities Partnership Middlesex-London Endorsement of the Toronto Charter for Physical Activity
• Borrow the Kit: Alcohol, Tobacco, Cancer Screening and Sun/UV Safety @Work Kit!
• How Can YOU Fit Physical Activity into Your Day?
• Find out About Borrowing the Nutrition & Physical Activity @ Work Kit?
• New Parenting Videos Discuss Drugs/Alcohol and Your Teenager
• Did You Know Most Injuries are Predictable & Preventable?
• Developing a Supportive Nutrition Environment at Work
• Spring & Summer Can Be a Perfect Time for Parents to Provide Language Learning Opportunities for Children

Download your FREE copy of the English and/or French version of the newsletter and be sure to share it with your coworkers too!

Did you know spring is a great time to plant a tree?

Show your support for the Million Tree Challenge by planting a tree this fall in your yard or business!

Once you have planted your tree please be sure to add your tree to the count at www.milliontrees.ca/ and challenge others to join!

As well, do you want information on how to plant & care for trees? Learn more here.

Thinking about planning a party?

Check out Safegrad.com to find out what you need to know.

Did you know?

• Helmets can prevent up to 85% of head injuries
• The correct way to wear a helmet
• What to look for when buying a helmet
• When you should replace a helmet

Don’t delay! Find out what you need to know.

Did you know...Falls are the number one reason young children visit the Emergency Department, and they're all preventable?

As children grow, they are naturally curious - that's a part of normal growth and development. Children fall for different reasons based on their age and stage of development. But no matter what stage your child is at, supervision is the best prevention. Being there and being aware is the best way to prevent falls in young children.

Find out what you need to know:

For more information, please visit  http://www.healthunit.com/because.aspx.

Most injuries are preventable and predictable.

So why call them accidents? In fact, accidents are defined as being unforeseen or unexpected events – something that we cannot control.

Looking for ideas to change your language...check out:

http://www.healthunit.com/article.aspx?ID=17402 or

http://www.healthunit.com/safety@work.aspx

Prevent injuries today because injuries are preventable and predictable!

Hop, Skip, Munch! is a collection of simple, interactive and engaging activities that promote healthy eating and physical activities with children aged 2-5 years. The activities have been developed to help children familiarize themselves with where foods come from and what foods are good choices to help them grow and learn to their full potential.  While kids are learning, they're being active too-jumping, running, playing and having fun!

Download this FREE resource now!

Congratulations to London Life for being awarded the first Gold Eat Smart!® Workplace Award of Excellence in Ontario.  London Life earned the gold level award for their commitment to:

• food safety
• nutrition standards
• offering healthier food options in their cafeteria
• encouraging a supportive nutrition environment through education and a Healthy Eating Workplace Policy

The new Eat Smart!® Workplace Program includes awards for bronze, silver, and gold, with specific requirements at each level.  The program is a provincial initiative supported by the Canadian Cancer Society (Ontario Division), the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, the Ontario Public Health Association and local public health units.

A dietitian at the Middlesex-London Health Unit supports workplaces and their cafeterias to help them meet the award requirements.  For more information about the Eat Smart!® program please contact Kim Leacy, Public Health Dietitian, at 519-663-5317 ext 2353 or kim.leacy@mlhu.on.ca.

The deadline for 2012 applications is June 30, 2012. Participate and win!

If not, be sure to download the Health at Work 4 All! Topic List below. 

In it you’ll find information about the FREE services and programs available to you, which include:

• Consultations
• Print resources
• Ready-to –go presentations
• Displays
• Etc…

The topics that are covered cross a broad range of areas, such as:

• Healthy Lifestyles
• Family Health
• Environmental Health
• Immunization & Infectious Disease
• Sexual Health
• Dental Health
• Health at Work 4 All! Workplace Health
• Emergency Planning

Health at Work 4 All! is possible! Be sure to download the PDF to find out more.

If so, please be sure to download the Covent Garden Market 2012 Calendar below. This year’s calendar is filled with several helpful nutrition tips and delicious recipes!

Here are just some of the incredible recipes you’ll find in this useful calendar:

• Ontario Beef Stew
• Herbed Ontario Mushroom Crostini
• Lemon and Maple Shrimp Fettuccine
• Ontario Strawberry Shortcakes with a Twist
• Ontario Blueberry Pancakes
• Ontario Carrot and Apple Muffins
• Ontario Pumpkin and Tomato Soup

For more information about Covent Garden Market, please visit their web site at www.coventmarket.com.

Did you know?

1. Physical inactivity levels in Middlesex-London continue to be unacceptably high fluctuating between 43% and 50% (2003 – 2010) ²
2. There is well established scientific evidence that regular physical activity is health enhancing and an important component in maintaining health ¹

Find out how YOU Can Make a Difference in YOUR Community! Get more information.

References:

1.Bull, F.C. (2011). Global Advocacy for Physical Activity – Development and Progress of the Toronto Charter for Physical Activity: A Global Call for Action. Research in Exercise Epidemiology, 13(1):1-10.
2.Statistics Canada (2010). Canadian Community Health Survey. Proportion of Middlesex-London population (age 12+) being moderately active or active during leisure time, 2003-2010. http://www5.statcan.gc.ca/cansim/a05?id=1050501&stByVal=1&lang=eng

 

For more information, please visit the Middlesex-London Health Unit web site.

Do you…

• Worry that your son or daughter will start to misuse drugs or alcohol? 
• Want to know how to talk to your teens about this subject? 
• Know what are some of the risks of alcohol and drug use for your developing teenager? 

These and many other questions are discussed in the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s NEW video series on Parenting Your Teenager - Alcohol and Drug Use. 

Visit the Middlesex-London Health Unit

 to access any of the following videos:

• Talking with Teens About Drugs and  Alcohol
• Factors that Put Teens at Risk for Drug and Alcohol Use
• Signs of Drug and Alcohol Use in Teens
• What if You Suspect Your Teen is Using Drugs or Alcohol?
• Setting Boundaries and Consequences for Your Teen Regarding Substance Use
• Risks for Teens of Using Drugs and Alcohol
• Teen Physical Development and Sleep
• Teen Brain Development
• Teen Emotional Development
• Teen Social Development
• Parenting Styles
• Communication with Teenagers
• Building Relationships with Teenagers

As well, be sure to check out the following video on:

Risk for Teens of Using Drugs and Alcohol

211 is the information and referral service that provides the people of Ontario with reliable information on community and social services.

When you dial the 211 hotline, you are connected with a Certified Information and Referral Specialist who has been trained to:

• Assess your needs
• Answer your questions accurately
• Advise you about the services and programs that are best for you

For more information, please visit www.211ontario.ca.

Have you seen Janet & Greta Podleski’s bestselling cookbook entitled The Looneyspoons Collection?

This recipe book includes:

• Janet & Greta’s greatest recipes of the past and TONS of brand-new recipes, too – delicious!
• The Nutrition Facts for each of the 325 recipes – to help you plan healthier meals.



Are you looking for reliable nutrition advice? If so, consult a Registered Dietitian for free by calling EatRight Ontario at 1-877-510-5102 or visiting their website at www.EatRightOntario.ca.

Would YOU Benefit from FREE Nicotine Replacement Therapy & an Exercise Program?

We are pleased to announce the third round of the Getting Physical on Cigarettes program!  This research study at the Exercise and Health Psychology Lab at The University of Western Ontario is being funded by the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute.

By participating in this study, women receive a FREE 14 week exercise & 10 week nicotine replacement therapy program to help them quit smoking - for good.

Contact Lyndsayat: gettingphysicaloncigarettes@gmail.com  or phone (519) 661-3211 to find out more.

Are you pregnant? Have you recently had a baby? Do you live in the London area?

The Exercise and Health Psychology Lab at The University of Western Ontario is looking to recruit pregnant and postnatal women (within 52 weeks of giving birth) in the London
area to participate in an 8-week study who either:

▪ Have quit smoking and want help remaining smoke-free
▪ Are currently smoking and want help quitting

The objective of the study is to help YOU become or remain smoke-free.

To find out more visit http://www.ehpl.uwo.ca/projects.html
or call 519-661-3211
or email tharper2@uwo.ca

Canadians are consuming excessive amounts of salt - and most of us don't even know it.

It's a hidden health risk that's threatening even our children.

In a four-part investigation, 'Hard to Shake' provides you with relevant information and asks the question:

Is enough being done?

Visit The Globe and Mail to find out more.

Suicide is…

• Not often talked about.
• Complex and there is no single cause.

Individuals thinking about suicide are in a great deal of emotional pain. They often feel:

• Hopeless
• Helpless
• Life is unbearable

For some, death seems like the only way to escape their pain.  Thankfully, suicide is not the answer.

Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, http://www.wechealthunit.org/, has developed this helpful resource. Find out what YOU need to know…

Have questions about healthy eating?

Call EatRight Ontario at 1-877-510-510-2 to speak with a
Registered Dietitian for free or visit www.ontario.ca/eatright

Did you know that as many as two million Canadians are living with a disease without symptoms?

Osteoporosis is a serious disease with serious consequences. Bone loss is silent, and the first sign of osteoporosis is often a painful fracture.

Osteoporosis Canada, the only national charitable organization dedicated to the cause of osteoporosis, is here to help.

Ever wonder if YOU are at risk for fracture? Visit Osteoporosis Canada to find out more.

Health at Work 4 All! is a step-by-step guide that will provide you with the background information and tools YOU need to create or enhance your workplace health promotion initiatives.

This guide also contains practical ideas for:

• Raising awareness and building workplace wellness skills among employees
• Creating a supportive workplace environment
• Developing Healthy Policies

Find out more.

Energy drinks claim to give you an extra boost of energy.  Ever wonder how YOU get this boost?  Find out what you need to know.

Do you, a co-worker, family member or friend need information about drugs such as:

• Marijuana
• Alcohol
• Ecstasy
• Cocaine
• Crack
• Crystal Meth and Methamphetamines
• Inhalents
• Heroin
• LSD
• Prescription Drug Abuse
• Painkillers
• Ritalin

If so, check out this fantastic resource from Foundation for a Drug-Free World to find out what you need to know!

Are you a tenant or landlord? Do you live in a condominium corporation or housing co-operative?

The Smoking and Health Action Foundation (SHAF) is pleased to announce the launch of a new Ontario-specific web site dedicated to the issue of second-hand smoke in multi-unit dwellings.

Visit Smoke-Free Housing Ontario to find out what you need to know.

Both drivers and cyclists are reminded to share the road and remember safety and courtesy. Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other vehicles using the road. Not only do cyclists need to obey the rules of the road but they should also make sure that they are visible.

Motorists need to be attentive to their surroundings at all times and respect the cyclists’ right to be on the road.

Ever wonder why it's good to ‘Eat Local'?
Find out some interesting facts by watching this informative 3 minute video.

When you're out and about...walking. biking, boarding, blading, strolling...Be Safe Be Seen

Ever drive behind or beside an unsafe driver?  Were they on their cell, texting, reading a map, or talking with passengers?  Wonder if they eventually made it to where they were going?

There's no question.  Driving requires a person's full attention.

Eyes on the Road...Hands on the Wheel...Focus on Driving will help keep YOU safe!

For more information visit Combating Distracted Driving.

The partners of Child Safety Middlesex London are committed to sharing important safety messages with parents and caregivers in our community.  The Safety Never Hurts seasonal safety bulletin is just one of the ways that they deliver safety messaging throughout our community.

In this edition, you’ll find relevant information on the following topics:

• Hot Liquids, Burns and Scalds
• School Bus Safety
• Railway Safety
• Playground Safety
• Consumer Product Recalls

The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) has released Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for children and youth- the first of their kind, in response to some alarming research about how children and youth spend their free time during the day.

Findings include the fact that school-age children and youth spend 6-8 hours per day on average viewing screens - TV, video games and computers and that 62% of their day is spent being sedentary or inactive.

A reduction in sedentary behaviour has many health benefits including increased self esteem, improved fitness and body composition, and better academic performance.

The guidelines recommend children and youth should limit recreational screen time to no more than 2 hours per day and limit motorized transportation, extended periods of time sitting and time spent indoors.

Want to find out more?

References:

Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. (2011) Canadian Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines Retrieved February 15, 2011 from http://www.csep.ca/english/view.asp?x=804

Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. (2011) Canadian Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines Media Release February 15, 2011 http://www.csep.ca/english/view.asp?x=804

The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) has released new Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for apparently healthy children (5-11 years), youth (12-17 years), adults (18 – 64 years), and older adults (65 years and older). The Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines describe the amount and types of physical activity that offer substantial health benefits for Canadians and should be viewed as a minimal target. Individuals should try to exceed the minimum target as the greater the intensity, variety, and duration of physical activity, the greater the health benefits.

The new Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines can be found online and are downloadable on CSEP’s web site.

To access materials in English visit www.csep.ca/guidelines

To access materials in French visit www.csep.ca/directives

Evidence over the past several decades has shown that physical activity and fitness levels in Canadians have decreased. The number of obese or overweight Canadians has steadily increased as have diseases associated with obesity and being overweight. An effective way to help prevent health risks is to engage in regular physical activity.

For additional information related to physical activity visit:

Public Health Agency of Canada at www.publichealth.gc.ca/physicalactivity

ParticipACTION at www.participaction.com

References:

Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. (2011). Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines. Background Information. Retrieved January 24^th, 2011 from http://www.csep.ca/english/view.asp?x=804

Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. (2011). Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines. Glossary of Terms. Retrieved January 24^th, 2011 from http://www.csep.ca/english/view.asp?x=804

Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. (2011). Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines. Key Messages – Q & A. Retrieved January 24^th, 2011 from http://www.csep.ca/english/view.asp?x=804

Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. (2011). New Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines Released. Retrieved January 24^th, 2011 from http://www.csep.ca/english/view.asp?x=804

Did you know Canada's Food Guide
is available in multiple languages?

You can now access this valuable tool in: English, French, Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Farsi (Persian), Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil and Urdu.

Want to find out more?

Visit Canada's Food Guide

Each year more drivers age 21 and under die in drinking driving collisions than any other age group.

Watch this informative video which has been generously provided arrive alive DRIVE SOBER, Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving and Student Life Education Company, so you can Arrive Alive.

Need more information?  Visit the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario.

Please note: The opinions expressed in the following video and the products represented do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Healthy Living Partnership Middlesex-London, nor are they endorsed or recommended by the Healthy Living Partnership Middlesex-London.

Zero Blood Alcohol Concentration – Find out what YOU need to know!

More than 90 per cent of strokes can be attributed to 10 common risk factors, a new Canadian-led study shows.

Find out what YOU need to know from The Globe and Mail.

The R. Samuel McLaughlin Foundation - Exercise and Pregnancy Lab at The University of Western Ontario is the ONLY lab in North America studying exercise for pregnant and post-partum women!

If you are interested in finding out more about the many exercise studies they offer, or would like further information on pregnancy and post-partum exercise, please contact (519) 661-2111 Ext# 88366 or visit www.uwo.ca/fhs/EPL/.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation recognizes that there are a variety of risk factors that affect the life-long heart health of all Canadians. As a result, it provides translated and culturally-adapted resources about the risk factors for, and warning signs of, heart disease and stroke, to assist:

• Chinese Canadians
• People of South Asian descent
• First Nations, Inuit and Métis people
• People of African descent
• Canadians of Persian/Iranian descent

Find out more at:

www.heartandstroke.ca/multilingual

or for Aboriginal resources

www.heartandstroke.ca/Aboriginal

There are easy ways to reduce the amount of sodium from your diet.

Find out what YOU need to know from The Globe and Mail!

The Healthy Weights Information Kit is a self-directed lifestyle program for adults who are interested in learning about:

• Making permanent, healthy lifestyle changes
• Practical, realistic, and reliable nutrition advice
• Incorporating physical activity into your daily routine
• Enjoying healthy eating while cutting back on fat

The kit contains a number of different resources focused on how to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. The kit is FREE of charge.

To receive this kit, contact the Middlesex-London Health Unit at (519) 663-5317 ext. 2220.

The Healthy Communities Partnership Middlesex-London supports the Healthy Communities vision of the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport.

“Healthy Communities working together and Ontarians leading healthy and active lives”

The overall goals of the strategy include:

• Create a culture of health and well-being;
• Build healthy communities through coordinated action;
• Create policies and programs that make it easier for Ontarians to be healthy; and
• Enhance the capacity of community leaders to work together on healthy living.

Read Healthy Communities Partnership Middlesex-London Community Picture Report 2011    

Find your way to freshness!

This local farm map shows you where you can find locally grown produce that's perfect for all your favorite recipes!  Please be sure to call the farm before heading out to make sure the Hours of Operation are current.

Please Note: this map is intended to be printed and then folded to pocket size. You may need to scroll the window to see the whole map.

Looking for recipe ideas?